[Illustration: New cuts were made in the trees for the next day's supply. [_Page 136_ ] ADRIFT ON THE AMAZON BY LEO E. MILLER ILLUSTRATED NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS 1923 COPYRIGHT, 1923, BY CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS Printed in the United States of America [Illustration] TO ALL READERS WHO HAVE A WHOLESOME LIKING FOR STORIES OF ADVENTURE AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS PREFACE The Amazon! Who has not been thrilled at the mere mention of the words? For the name of the world’s mightiest river suggests not only vast expanses of muddy water, but also the jungle-clad shores and wild hinterland where nature seems to have run riot in the development of strange and interesting vegetation and animal life, and of tribes of savages but little known and less understood. There is romance and adventure to be found in each mile of its yellow flood or gloomy thickets. But to only a few is given the privilege of lifting the veil of mystery that hangs over the Amazon country and of exploring its hidden retreats. “Adrift on the Amazon” is the story of a youth’s struggles against the seemingly insurmountable difficulties that confronted the intrepid wanderer into the Amazon wilderness. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. FIGHTING JONES 1 II. DAVID LEAVES HOME 13 III. THE AMAZON 21 IV. ROGER’S WORK 36 V. A CHANGE OF FORTUNE 51 VI. HARPOONING A RIVER MONSTER 64 VII. WHEN THE RIVER RAN RIOT 78 VIII. THE ROAD TO LAS PALMAS 91 IX. THE BEAST 104 X. THE ASCENT OF THE UPPER AMAZON 115 XI. IN THE RUBBER FOREST 128 XII. A BATTLE WITH A CROCODILE 140 XIII. ADRIFT IN THE FOREST 154 XIV. THE RESCUE FROM THE ANT ARMY 168 XV. THE CHARGE OF THE INDIANS 178